Signaling system



Dec. 27, 1938. r H. P. HUBERTZ I 1,

SIGNALING $YSTEM Filed Nov. 8, 1957 Patented Dec. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFEQE I T i I v2,141, l='73 I I SIGNALING SYSTEM Halvard P. Hubert'z (lhicag0, Ill. Application November 8, 1937, Serial No. 173,400

12 Claims.

- This invention relates to a signaling system and more particularly to remote controlled signs'for indicating letters or figures. It has beencustomary in signs of'this character to provide a 5 large number of electric light bulbs and to choose a number of such bulbs for indicating some numher or letter. Thus, the bulbs chosen for one particular operation might either be illuminated against the dark background of-the remaining Ii) bulbs, or might be dark against the lighted background of the remaining bulbs. In both cases, the lighting of the bulbs has been the means forindicating the contrast between the particular bulbs and the background.

5 In systems of this character, such as are used for indicating in baseball, football, or racing, it

frequently occurs that the entire board is brightly illuminated by the sun or by some Searchlight.

'In such a case, the degree of illumination of the to entire board is so intense that the distinct on between the lighted and unlighted bulbs is generally lost, thus rendering the system inoperative unless viewed from some particular angle.

An object of this invention is to devise a sys- T temof this character which Will be free of the above objections and which may be effectively used in any kind of light and under all conditions. In general, I accomplish this by utilizing a small flag or disc which ofiers an effective contrast to the general background. Thus, if the entire board is uniformly dark, I dispose a plurality of reflecting discs which are normally hidden from view but which may be snapped into i signaling position. Obviously, the optical efiect may be reversed by having the entire board light as with aluminum, metal or stainless steel and havingdark discs delineate the signal.

Another and additional object is to devise a signaling means of thisv character in a simple and 0 cheap manner and which will be thoroughly foolproof and positive in operation.

Referring tothe drawing:

Figure 1 shows an entire, board with the letter E, spelled out. 5 1 Figure 2.is a detail of some of the board elements in the process of manufacture.

Figure 3 is .a view of severalsections of the board assembly. a Figure 4 is a sectional view showing two units 0 in closed and open position respectively.

Figure'5 is a rear view of one of the signaling flagshy The Sign shown in Figure 1 is composed of a plurality of sections, three of which are shown in 5 Figure 3 and indicated by numerals II], II and I2.

The number'of sections is greater by one, than the number of signaling elements and may, of course, be provided in as great a number and to as great a width as may be desired. Since all the sections are identical, a detailed description 5 of one will only be made. Thus, referring to section Ill, there is provided along the bottom edge I5 a plurality 'of semi-circular cut-outs here shown as l5 to Hi inclusive. These cut-outs are placed at intervals, each cut-out corresponding to one signaling element. Lengthwise of the section, an angle iron is bolted, this angle iron being adapted to extend over the edge on to the adjacent section H and join the two sections together. The vertical flange 2| of the angle iron is 5 preferably provided with a plurality of upstanding tongues 22 which are adapted to be symmetrically disposed with respect to the semicircular cut-outs. Each tongue 22 has bolted thereto asemi-circular cover plate 23 and is adapted to provide a semi-circular slot 24 at each cut-out.

Suitably supported behind each cut-out, is an assembly including a Solenoid having its armature 3i pressed outwardly by a spring 32 toward each sign section. Pivotally secured at 33 to theend of armature 3| is a push rod 34 which 'is secured at 35 to the ear 36 of a signal supporting bracket 31. This bracket has a pair of arms 38 at the bottom thereof extending tothe rear of 30 each sign element and terminating in pivots 39.

A pivot point 46 suitably Supported from angle iron 20 permits the bracket to be moved as shown in' Figure 4. Each bracket'has a plurality of stop ears 52 and carries on the front face'thereof a 35 signaling element 4|. This element is preferably of metal and preferably has a spherical'curvature. By adjusting the curvature to the curvature of the slot 24 and by proportioning the length of the arm 38 for each bracket, it is evident that 40 each signaling element may be pulled down into view as shown in Figure 4 or withdrawn as shown in this same figure. In order to provide'the semicircular cut-outs in each signal section, I preferably dispose two sections such as l0 and II together and cut out the two semi-circular slots 24 in one cutting operation. The resulting semicircular c'over plates 23 may then be used as shown in Figure 3, so that but little metal is wasted.

a Obviously, the cover plates prevent the entrance of dirt'to the operating portion of the system so that the system is quite efiectively protected against weather. The solenoids may be mounted in any suitable manner and may be disposed so that in the attracted position of the armature, the signaling element may either be in the visible or invisible position as viewed from the outside of the sign. In practice, I have found that the use of aluminum signaling members 4| against a dark painted background of sections 10 and II, is clearly visible either in the daylight or under artificial illumination at night. It is understood, of course, that the signal elements may be painted if desired and may be treated in any manner whatsoever, so that a decided contrast with the background results. Also, one solenoid may operate any desired number of signal elements.

It is understood, of course, that sufficient clearance between various parts must be provided to prevent jamming. In particular, clearance between bracket 3? and support member 22 is necessary in order to permit the entire device to swing around point 35.

What is claimed is: 1. In a signaling system of the type wherein a plurality of signaling elements are energized to delineate a signal, the combination of a board having a plurality of slots therethrough at intervals, a signal element disposed at each slot and carried by said board at the rear thereof, each signal element havinga substantial surface area, and means for moving each signal element in response to a signaling impulse edgewise through the corresponding slot' and disposing said signal element in front of said board with its maximum area available to cover the board, said signal elements being adapted to offer a decided optical contrast to said board. Y

2. In a signaling system of the character described, a supporting board having a plurality of slots therethrough, a signal element carried by said board in the rear thereof at each slot and being normally invisible from the front of said board with an edge of said signal element disposed in said slot, and means responsive to signal ng impulses for moving each element through a slot and disposing said element against said board to cover a maximum surface, said signal J elements being adapted to contrast with the board.

3. In a signaling system of the character described, a board'having a plurality of narrow slots, a thin signaling element carried by said board at the rear thereof adjacent each slot and being normally in the rear of said board with an edge of said element disposed in said slot, and signal responsive means for dropping each element through the slot and disposing the element fiatwise against the board under the slot.

4. In a signaling system of the character described, a board having a plurality of semi-circular slots, a signaling element carried by the board at the rear thereof adjacent each slot, said signaling element having a curvilinear cross-section to correspond with the board slot, means for mounting said element so that normally said element is disposed in the rear of said'boar'd in a generally perpendicular plane thereto with the edge of said element disposed in the corresponding slot, and signal responsive means for rotating each element about an axis to move the entire element through the slot and occupy a position of maximum visibility against said board.

5. In a signaling system of the character described, a board composed of a plurality of sections, each section extending'across one dimension of said board and having a plurality of semicircular cut-outs along one of the edges abutting an adjacent section, a signal element carried by each section but one at each cut-out, means for normally disposing said signal element behind the section with an edge of said element adjacent the cut-out, and signal responsive means for moving each element through said cut-out to cover substantially all of the section cut out and a portion of the adjacent section.

6. In a signaling system of the character described, a board formed of a plurality of component sections, each section but one having a plurality of semi-circular cut-outs along one of the edges abutting an adjacent section, all the sections being disposed so that the semi-circular cut-outs are disposed in spaced formation, a signal element at each cut-out, means for supporting each signal element behind the cut-out and normally'in a place perpendicular to the plane of the board with the edge of said element at the semi-circular edge of the cut-out, and signal responsive means for swinging each element down through the cut-out to cover substantially all of the corresponding cut-out and a portion of the adjacent section.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein each semicircular cut-out is provided with a semi-circular cover plate somewhat smaller than the cut-out to leave a semi-circular slot in which said signal element operates.

8. In a signaling system, a board having a plurality of semi-circular slots, a signal element carr3 ed by the board at the rear thereof at each slot, each signal element being shaped and forming part of the surface of a sphere, means for disposing each element with one edge thereof disposed adjacent the corresponding slot and normally invisible from the front of the board, and signal responsive means for moving each element around an axis and through the slot to cover an area in front of said board.

9. In a signaling system, the combination of a board having a slot therethrough, a signalelement, having substantial surface area, disposed at said slot and carried on the rear of said board, and means for moving saidzelement'in response to a signal impulse edgewise through said slot and disposing said element in front of said board with its maximum area available to cover the board. I

10. The structure of claim 9 wherein said element is pivotally mounted at the rear of said board and is movable through said slot by virtue of said mounting.

11. The structure of claim 9 wherein said'slo is semi-circular and wherein said element forms part of a spherical surface.

12. In a signaling system, the combination of a board having a slot therethrough, a bracket pivotally mounted at the rear of said board near said slot, a signal element carried by said bracket, said signal element having substantial surface area, means for moving said bracket on its mounting to move saidelement edgewise through said slot and dispose said element in front of said board with its maximum area available to cover said board, and at least one stop carried by said bracket adapted toengage the board at the rear thereof to limit the movement thereof.

HALVARD P. HUBERTZ 

